Patterns and resources

How to Knit a Blanket

I used to think that a blanket was a lot of knitting. But it’s not necessarily that much more knitting than a scarf, and the finishing is easy, unlike a sweater.

A blanket is not a bad knitting project for any level of knitter. You can choose to knit an elaborate king size blanket, or a simple garter stitch rectangle for a doll. It’s also a good project for kids learning to knit who want to make something, but who don’t want to make a washcloth or a scarf.

I think a knitted blanket was my very first project, even if I didn’t plan it that way; I was six years old, and my knitting tension went from very very loose on the first few rows, to very very tight on the last. It was a garter stitch triangle of many colours that became a doll’s blanket.

Sample dimensions (These are only intended as a rough guide. If you’re planning on making anything larger than a baby blanket, I recommend reading a few patterns first for more guidance.)

Type of blanket

Width (inches)

Length (inches)

Very small doll blanket

10

12

Barbie-type doll blanket

14

18

Doll blanket

24

24

Baby blanket

30

40

Swaddling Blanket

36

36

Nursery blanket

45

55

Small lap blanket or wrap

24

48

Medium lap blanket

30

50

Large lap blanket

50

60

Twin size blanket

68

86

Recipe 2: a more challenging blanket

Garter stitch is easy, but can get boring to knit. It’s also compressed vertically, which means you have to knit more rows than other with other stitch patterns. Here are some other non-curling, simple, knitting stitch patterns that would work well in a blanket: